Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 56 minutes ago
In 2021, IBM shocked the world by unveiling the first 2nm chip—a processor so dense it fits 50 billion transistors on a fingernail. But there was a catch: IBM sold its factories (fabs) to GlobalFoundries in 2014. They had the recipe, but no kitchen to cook it in. Enter Rapidus—Japan's state-backed "Hail Mary" attempt to regain semiconductor relevance.
Inquiries: behindasian@gmail.com
Brought to you by the Behind Asian Team.
In 2021, IBM shocked the world by unveiling the first 2nm chip—a processor so dense it fits 50 billion transistors on a fingernail. But there was a catch: IBM sold its factories (fabs) to GlobalFoundries in 2014. They had the recipe, but no kitchen to cook it in. Enter Rapidus—Japan's state-backed "Hail Mary" attempt to regain semiconductor relevance.
Inquiries: behindasian@gmail.com
Brought to you by the Behind Asian Team.










